Prevention

Emotional wellbeing

3.3 Policy interventions

Promoting emotional wellbeing and preventing mental health disorders at the population level requires a multi-faceted approach. Policy measures should focus on reducing stigma, increasing funding for mental health, and embedding emotional wellbeing into education, workplace, and community settings. Furthermore, there should be a concerted effort to address social determinants of mental health, such as poverty, housing insecurity, and discrimination, which can exacerbate emotional distress and mental disorders.

Reducing stigma can be achieved through public campaigns and education that normalise seeking help and cultivate inclusive, supportive communities. Increased funding for mental health services is critical, as it enables better access, improved quality of care, and the training of skilled professionals.

Today, the rapid rise of social media use and the growing prevalence of behavioural and substance addictions present new challenges to mental health. Policy must address the impact of digital environments—particularly social media—on psychological wellbeing, aiming to mitigate harms such as cyberbullying, social comparison and misinformation while promoting digital literacy and healthy online behaviour.
Comprehensive interventions are needed to address both substance use disorders and behavioural addictions, recognising their profound impact on individuals and communities.

  1. 3.1 Introduction
    1. 3.1.1 The economic case for emotional wellbeing
  2. 3.2 A strategy for emotional wellbeing
    1. 3.2.1 Considerations by generational group
  3. 3.3 Policy interventions
    1. 3.3.1 Policy interventions
  4. 3.4 Private sector
    1. 3.4.1 Technology and digital health tools
    2. 3.4.2 Emotional wellbeing and mental health in the workplace
    3. 3.4.3 Educational institutions
    4. 3.4.4 Social media, emotional wellbeing and mental health disorders
    5. 3.4.5 Meaning purpose and connection